Capesthorne Hall Classic Car Show

Car shows are a great place to hone your photography skills with the added bonus that you get to see some wonderful cars and there is usually a Burger stall, hog roast or hot dog stall at the very least. You’ll generally have excellent access, although if vehicles are being judged they may be in a roped off area, and if the owners are around they are usually more than happy to allow pictures and answer any questions you might have.

This show held at Capesthorne Hall was organised by the Cheshire Classic Car Club Since Mercedes were the featured manufacturer they had their cars on display inside the walls of the hall. So lets start with a look at the Mercs.

Mercedes Classics

Capesthorne Hall made the perfect setting for them although it was a tad busy & a bit too crowded to single out cars for a good shot. In photography patience will always be your friend so frame your shot up best you can and wait until the distractions are at a minimum. If you’re ready you may be lucky enough to get a shot without too many spectators in the frame or heads growing out of the roofs.

Two of my favourites here. The 230 and 280 SL

Mercedes 280 SL

Mercedes 230 SL

If all else fails look out for some different angles and never give up – come back later if you have to. Once the bonnet of this AMG was opened visitors were like bees round a honeypot (is that a saying or have I made that up?)

AMG GT

AMG GT engine bay

I wouldn’t mind but there was nothing to see really – a big plastic cover is all. I popped round the back and got a nice shot from the rear.

AMG GT nice rear end

All the other cars were out in the main field along with the traders and food stalls. Again patience is a virtue and if you frame your shot and wait you can often get a fairly people free shot. A zoom lens is useful for framing as you need to move fast. I shot all these with an Olympus EM1 and the pro 12-40 f2.8 zoom.

Fiat 500

Renault Alpine

Renault rear view

I’m not even telling you what this is

My Dad used to have a Vauxhall Viva. It looked nothing like this!

I cant remember what this was. A Volvo I think! I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

Another one that needs no introduction!

Really don’t know what this one is. I thought it was a Imp from afar but it’s not.

Class act. A Porsche Speedster

Porsche Speedster detail shot

Porsche Speedster detail shot. Headlamp guards.

And I finally got a nice clear shot of that AMG GT

Another thing to look out for is the opportunity to isolate interesting parts of the car for close up pictures. They really knew how to design a car in the 50s & 60s. Especially those big American marques.

Cadillac Eldorado

Packard. I’m afraid I don’t know the model.

But I think it’s a Packard Patrician

This beastie started out as something else.

It’s owner told me it was an estate car when he got it.

Most modern zooms let you get in real close so get in close and bag yourself some great abstract images.

When shooting close up like this you have very little depth of field (the amount of the picture that’s in focus) which is great for isolating small parts such as these bonnet badges.

The Spirit of Ecstasy

Remember when you are shooting a mirror or reflection it is important where to focus. If you focus on the mirror or reflective object then the reflective object will be sharp while your reflected subject will be out of focus. If you want the reflected subject sharp you need to focus on the actual reflection. If you are 1ft from the mirror but your subject is 3 feet away you will be focussing around 6 feet to get a sharp image.

Focussed on the chrome reflections

Focussed on the reflection in the mirror – the wipers.

Then there’s engine bays!

Eldorado

Cosworth

With a bullet!

And Motor bikes! There were some great motor cycles here but I’m afraid I didn’t get much time to check them all out. These two attracted a good deal of attention though. A Triumph fitted out with a sidecar in beautiful livery. Love it.

And George Formby’s bike out of the film ‘No Limit’ ………………. come up and see me riding in the TT races. No. Well you do have to be a certain age.